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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ian Paisley to stand down as MP | Ian Paisley to stand down as MP |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has told a Ballymena newspaper he will not be standing in the general election. | |
| Mr Paisley, 83, has held the seat since 1970. It is thought that his son Ian Paisley Jr will face TUV leader Jim Allister in the constituency. | Mr Paisley, 83, has held the seat since 1970. It is thought that his son Ian Paisley Jr will face TUV leader Jim Allister in the constituency. |
| At the last general election in 2005, Mr Paisley polled 25,156 votes, giving him a majority of nearly 18,000. | At the last general election in 2005, Mr Paisley polled 25,156 votes, giving him a majority of nearly 18,000. |
| Mr Paisley was widely expected to retire as an MP after stepping down as DUP leader in 2008. | Mr Paisley was widely expected to retire as an MP after stepping down as DUP leader in 2008. |
| After the TUV took almost 70,000 votes from the DUP at last year's European election, Mr Paisley signalled he may stand for re-election in North Antrim. | After the TUV took almost 70,000 votes from the DUP at last year's European election, Mr Paisley signalled he may stand for re-election in North Antrim. |
| In recent interviews, he had refused to be drawn on whether he would stand again, but confirmed his decision to the Ballymena Guardian. | In recent interviews, he had refused to be drawn on whether he would stand again, but confirmed his decision to the Ballymena Guardian. |